View Full Version : SV650S - possible dud battery?
darkdreamsgal
15-10-10, 08:30 AM
Hi guys and gals
Got my bike out of the garage last weekend after just 2 weeks (I only ride on weekends) of not riding and it had difficulty starting - clicked when I pressed the ignition a couple of times, then started but died, then eventually seemed ok after I revved the throttle for a minute or so.
I assume it's a battery thing, but bearing in mind it's a 2010 bike (have had it since beginning of June), should I already be having battery problems? Didn't have this with my K9 (although admittedly only had that for 2 months before it got written off).
The only things I can think of are:
a) slightly colder weather now - but strange that such a new bike's battery would be so susceptible to the cold
b) I did accidentally leave my heated grips on in June (I was in Scotland, it was cold!) and the battery had to be charged up by an AA guy the next day - does this ruin the life of a battery?
Basically, I need to know if:
a) this is acceptable for a bike this new, or should I check my warranty cover, and
b) I should be investing in an optimiser over the winter when there are bound to be fewer rideable weekends and the bike may sit in the garage for weeks at a time...
Thanks
Jo
Battery may have been damaged by rough charging treatment from AA guy meaning it wont keep the charge so well and especially when the weather gets colder the engine will be tighter and demand more from it meaning..............splut! Best bet is a new battery to get you through this winter as, being relatively cheap, is a small price to pay for reliable starting - I doubt it is covered by the warranty following possible abuse. An optimiser can be a good soultion as it treats and charges the battery in a more intelligent way extending its life and is easy to fit. Hope you get sorted.
darkdreamsgal
15-10-10, 09:33 AM
Thanks coxxy. Don't know if it was 'rough treatment' by the AA guy - I was there when he was doing it and it seemed relatively gentle to me! He just connected the cable clips, charged it up to the required charge (which wasn't that much more, but the immobiliser seems to take up a lot of battery power to switch off), and then unclipped...
"Relatively cheap" - so how much should I look at spending and do you know if it has to be a genuine Suzuki battery (if such a thing exists) or if it makes a difference (to quality / warranty etc) if it's not genuine Suzuki? If there's no such thing, are there any particular brands I should look for?
On optimisers - can anyone recommend any good ones? And do they need a mains to plug into?
Thanks
Jo
An optimiser is a good bet if you're not using the bike much over the winter. The Optimate always seems to get good reviews. It does need to plug into the mains.
If it was me, and as this is not your daily transport, I'd be tempted to get an optimiser and see how the battery goes - it did start the bike after all.
However, if you do need a battery, Batteryman on here gives a discount to orgers www.mdsbattery.co.uk (http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk). Phone up and mention the org for your discount.
HTH.
darkdreamsgal
15-10-10, 10:30 AM
Thanks TamSV!
Aftermarket immobilisers and alarms are notoriously "hungry".
I'd be checking the current drain as the first thing, a cheap multimeter will do the job, fit between the earth (neg) lead and the battery terminal. You can usually achieve this without even breaking the circuit if the alarm/immob gets upset by being disconnected from power, hold/clip the meter leads on the cable end and the battery terminal while removing the cable from the terminal so the meter maintains the circuit.
If you see more than a few milli-amps it's likely to cause you problems regardless of how good the charging system is working and the battery condition.
As a side issue, try removing all fuses and clean/lube the blades (vaseline will do) and refit, poor connections here will drop voltage.
When it is running, do a very basic voltage check, put the meter directly on the battery terminals and see what you get idling and also revving at 4-5k rpm with the lights on, should be in the realms of 14V when revved.
This is the time of year when batteries die.
davepreston
15-10-10, 02:52 PM
youve got warrenty use it ,its a new bike with a issue take it back and have them look it over, it is probably what the lads have said but if youve got it why not use it
Doesnt have to be suzuki battery but follow advice above. Optimate is a trade name: http://www.optimate.co.uk/ and does need mains for overnight charging - better than boost charging. Charging a battery by what must have been 'boost' charging is not a good idea and may have damaged the battery which may have been dodgy anyway - has been known. Claiming warranty on the battery is a waste of time in my opinion as you may have left something switched on?
darkdreamsgal
15-10-10, 04:56 PM
Thanks guys. Sounds like Optimate (or other reputable optimiser - any other brands, anyone?) is the way to go, although it probably won't do me any harm to check all the connections and drain (if I can get my head around your post, embee!!).
Now also have to check if my garage has a mains! If not... are there any other options?!
danf1234
15-10-10, 05:37 PM
Get the optimate 4. It is what all the others are based on. It constantly monitors the condition of the battery and will tell you if you need to throw it in the bin and get another.
Retails for about £40.
darkdreamsgal
15-10-10, 07:55 PM
Ta.
Anyone know of any options if the garage doesn't have a mains?
Biker Biggles
15-10-10, 08:31 PM
Ta.
Anyone know of any options if the garage doesn't have a mains?
Extension lead from the house?
I find a few hours on the optimate every week or so is enough to keep most bikes happy.If yours is draining the battery more quickly there is probably an issue.I suspect the hot grips incident plus the boost charge has sh&gged it and now it struggles to hold charge.They dont like being run fully flat for any length of time and they dont like boost charging.
fizzwheel
15-10-10, 08:58 PM
Anyone know of any options if the garage doesn't have a mains?
We have that problem.
1. Get a long extension lead and run a lead out to the garage and leave it on it 1 day over a weekend when you are at home.
2. Failing that take the battery out of the bike and bring the battery indoors and plug it into the optimate in the kitchen or somewhere like that. Probably wise to make sure wherever you plug it in in reasonably well ventalated though.
As your bike is so new though, I would be taking it back to the garage you bought it from and getting them to check its charging problem etc.
Also it may be something simple like the battery terminals being loose or something else not done up tight which is stopping it charging.
I can leave my GSXR in the garage for well over a month with the Alarm on and it'll keep enough charge in the battery to start the bike.
darkdreamsgal
15-10-10, 09:24 PM
Well, to add to the complication, my garage is nowhere near my flat! In fact, it's exactly 0.7mi away... I'm not sure they do household extension leads that long...
Well, might not be an issue. Will find out when I next get to the garage! And will consider taking it down to a garage to have a look.
Thanks everyone
Jo
Well, to add to the complication, my garage is nowhere near my flat! In fact, it's exactly 0.7mi away... I'm not sure they do household extension leads that long...
Then it's time to go green:D
http://www.sunstore.co.uk/buy/40w-12v-solar-battery-charger-vehicle-kit-boat-caravan-rv-motorhome_236158979.htm (http://www.sunstore.co.uk/buy/40w-12v-solar-battery-charger-vehicle-kit-boat-caravan-rv-motorhome_236158979.htm)
or
http://www.wirefreedirect.com/wind_turbines.asp (http://www.wirefreedirect.com/wind_turbines.asp)
darkdreamsgal
16-10-10, 08:35 AM
Wow! Expensive options but certainly options! :lol:
Run an extension lead out of your letter box into the garage?!
Milky Bar Kid
16-10-10, 12:38 PM
Run an extension lead out of your letter box into the garage?!
0.7 miles away? Yeah, she might struggle with that one!
My CBR did it a couple of weeks back. Had only been sitting for a week and had a little tantrum to itself and wouldn't start. Eventually it managed to fire up and it hasn't done it again since.
ha ha nice one! 35 x 20 metre extension leads plugged together? perhaps that is a stretch too far....................how about........................the trickling solar panel powered charging circuit above looks interesting at only 200 squid ? Or the turbine at ???? squid Or just get a spare battery and have it readily handy and charged for £30?
-Ralph-
17-10-10, 09:15 AM
Have you fitted any other accessories to the battery that don't switch off and could be flattening it? ie: Alarm, Immobiliser, etc.
It's a 2010 bike, you shouldn't be having these problems. My bike is 4 1/2 yrs old with 23500 miles, and the original battery is still going strong. It has been jump started a couple of times after heated grips were left on. Although I bought an Optimate when saw a good deal on one years ago, it has never been out of the box (and I have two bikes). EDIT: It has been out of the box. I put it on my XT600 overnight immediately after I bought it, just so I could see from the lights if the battery was in good nick, preventative use only.
If you jump start it and take it for a good run, then after that you are still having problems, get it back to your dealer. The AA having jump started it will not invalidate your warranty, just don't tell them that it was because you left the grips on.
daveangel
17-10-10, 10:05 AM
Hi Jo, the Optimate comes with a lead that you can fit to the battery terminals and run the connector back to under the pillion seat, then all you have to do is unlock seat and remove and plug the lead into the charger, far easier than taking the battery out. Maybe if you can, bringing the bike over to your place now and again for a boost charge. Definately back to the dealer and have it checked though too.
darkdreamsgal
17-10-10, 10:46 PM
Ok, sounds like it's definitely worth checking out with the dealer. Haven't been able to pop to see the bike today but I'll be using it on Friday so will see if it's still causing probs then. In the meantime a friend is donating an Optimate (no idea if it's Optimate 4 or an earlier version) so that's a good backup for the winter anyway.
Ralph - I did take it for a long run (about 200 miles) immediately after the AA charged it back in June. That's the only time I've had to have it charged so far.
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